Develop Mental Toughness

Being Mentally-Tough is key if you are going to become the best at what you do. There are going to be days where you must keep going even though it may feel like everything is against you. Those who are mentally-tough will overcome these difficulties, and experience the rewards of pushing through.

Check out these 5 simple steps to help you develop mental-toughness from PGC Basketball.

Striving For Excellence

Coach CJ

www.chsmhouston.com
www.facebook.com/chsmhouston
@CJPomeroy1
@chsmhouston

Are You Coachable?

The quest for a championship requires a commitment to do away with those things that can prevent you from winning. Allowing yourself to be coached is a requirement on every championship team.

PGC Basketball posted this great article on how to make sure you are not a hard player to coach.

Quit Being So Hard to Coach

Be a player your coach loves to have on their team!

Coach CJ

CHSM

Strive for Excellence

www.chsmhouston.com

Reach Heights You Never Dreamed Possible!

On April 5th, 2016, the UCONN Huskies women's basketball team won their 4th straight national championship while winning their 75th game in a row. Their 3 senior starters were a perfect 24-0 in the 4 women's tournaments they participated in, and averaged more points per game than their opponents. So how do 3 incredible talents and Hall-of-Fame coach achieve unprecedented success? The answer is very simple. By committing themselves to excellence in their role, recognizing the end goal requires help, and being humble enough to serve each other in pursuit of that goal. That's called TEAMWORK.

The amount of character these girls had to have in order to win is more than we can ever imagine. They did make it look simple, but the truth is - SUCCESS IS SIMPLE. Failure is complicated.

The same is true in our walk with God. Success is reached when we keep your eyes on Christ in pursuit of His will for our life, recognizing that we can’t achieve anything of substance without His blessing and the help of others, a willingness to be broken down and corrected, and being humble enough to serve and sacrifice to help others in pursuit of their desires.

Commit yourself to excellence. Recognize that you cannot experience your dreams without the help of others. Be willing to be humbled, corrected, and selfless to help others in pursuit of their dreams. By doing so, we too can reach heights we never dreamed possible!

In Christ,
Coach CJ

President - CHSM

Website: www.chsmhouston.com
Twitter: @CJPOMEROY1 or @CHSMHOUSTON
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chsmhouston




Read about UCONN's 3 senior starters - Click Here!

Attitude

Our attitude is in constant need of adjustment. When it pertains to having a good attitude, there will never be a time when we will have "made it", or a time when we will never have to worry about our attitude again. Our attitude needs to be reviewed, renewed, and adjusted every single day – sometimes multiple times during the day!

This is the essence of what it means when you hear "You are the driver of your bus." (Rule 1 from The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon) Whether you go forward or backward is a choice you and you alone make.

The person who allows the actions of others to affect their attitude has not given up the driver's seat of their bus. Instead, they have chosen to drive their bus in a direction that others are going.

You cannot control whether the sun shines, the clouds produce rain, or the snow falls. You can only control the manner in which you drive your bus. To drive the bus safely you will check that the essentials are working properly.

The same applies for your attitude. To successfully arrive at your destination, check the essentials each and every day, and keep both hands on the wheel. Always move forward knowing that, if you are in Christ, then God’s got a great plan for you!

Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 3:5-6


In Christ,
Coach CJ

President - CHSM

Website: www.chsmhouston.com
Twitter: @CJPOMEROY1 or @CHSMHOUSTON
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chsmhouston

Staying Healthy

One of the greatest blindsides to a team is sickness. It sneaks up and, before you know it, you are calling your coach to let them know you won’t be at the practice or game because you came down with something. Here are some ways you should combat looming sickness during the season.

                Sleep: This is one area where most high school kids fail. Most athletes require 8-9 hours of sleep, and the best sleep is regimented - going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. It’s not always easy to do, and it won’t work all the time. BUT, all athletes should attempt to get 8-9 hours of uninhibited/scheduled sleep.

Champions - Do not stay up late before practices/games.

                FYI - Practicing while battling a sickness that is keeping you from performing at a high level is not necessarily a sign of toughness. If anything, it can be more detrimental to your team (and long-term health) if you try to push through practice while sick. Just stay home and get better (then do all the things mentioned here).

                Water: The average person should be drinking roughly 64oz of water per day. Athletes should probably consume more since they sweat more. Water helps remove bacteria from the body, and provides athletes the ability to recover more quickly after physical exertion. It also helps with cramps, spasms, and joint issues.

                                

Champions - Stay away from unhealthy drinks - like soda.

                Wash their hands: The basketball gym, gym bags, and locker rooms are rampant with germs. I know, I might have just scared a few people, but as long as athletes wash hands on a regular basis, then they should be fine. One of the best ways to combat the flu is to wash hands on a regular basis. Players should be washing hands before games/practices, after games/practices, and any time they are handling basketballs, etc....

Champions - Understand the importance of cleanliness. 

                Use Vitamins: The bodies of athletes are constantly fighting. Whether it is germs or physical exertion - the body is constantly draining and refilling. Use of proper vitamins in a proper manner will help the body in the fight to stay healthy.

Champions - Understand the importance of living healthy.

It really is a miracle that our athletes don’t get sick on a more regular basis, and we should really thank The Lord for this. The season is half-way thru, and I want everyone to have a great finish. Let’s encourage our athletes to take care of themselves so that they can perform at a high level in the big games!

Striving for Excellence,

Coach CJ

Executive Director – C.H.S.M.

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

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Objection - Rejection - Dejection

I can clearly remember the first year I started playing organized basketball.  I was ecstatic that I could play “for real” what I did so much in my back yard.  I wasn't familiar with the program, or the process, I just showed up ready to play.  I worked my tail off during those try-outs and listened intently to the coaches.  However, my name was never called when the teams were announced.  There were 5 teams that year, and I didn't make 1 of them.  The feeling of rejection was enormous – I wasn't good enough to play on 1 of the 5 teams who would play games that year.  To make it worse, I got to play on the intramural team – basically a year-long development camp.  We practiced the same time as everyone else, but we had to practice outside on unmarked cement, rusted out backboards, and no rims.  The feeling of rejection was one that lasted the entire season. 

My entire basketball career was filled with objections and rejections.  During my junior season my coach informed me that I was “on the bubble” and that I would probably end up on our varsity B team.  My younger brother made the A team and I was allowed to suit up & warm up with the team, but I would rarely see the floor.  It wasn't a rejection because I still got to participate, but it was a very strong objection because I could not participate to the same extent as everyone else on the team.  Needless to say, I wasn't a very happy player.  Although I never said anything, I made sure that my attitude said everything.  To be honest, my coach was gracious enough to let me stay on the team because my attitude alone warranted me being kicked off.  The feeling of dejection from being objected to lasted the entire season.

These are just a couple of examples from my own playing career.  Chances are that you have experienced them as well.  I’m grateful though that I had a dad who would never let me quit, and a coach who made it a point to continually try to help me.  It’s because of these experiences, and the lessons God taught me, that I was able to overcome many different work issues, death, and life changes throughout my very short career and marriage.

As a person or a player, objection, rejection, and dejection are 3 things that you will experience in life.  As a player you have more than likely experienced the feeling of getting cut or losing a starting spot.  As an adult, you have no doubt experienced a lay-off, cut in pay, divorce, or loss of a loved one.  It’s in these moments of objections and rejections that dejection begins to take root in our hearts.  These moments are like high winds and rolling waves on an open sea – you don’t think you are going to make it, and begin to sink into hopelessness.

The Apostle Peter was this way.  In Matthew 14 we find the story of Jesus walking on the water.   As Jesus is walking near the disciple’s boat they start to cry out in fear not knowing that it was their Master.  Finally, Jesus speaks in an effort to calm them.  Peter has doubts though.  He asks Jesus if he can come join Him by walking on the water from the boat.  The winds were raging and the waves were rolling, but Peter gets out of boat anyways.  As Peter begins to walk towards the Lord on the water he takes his eyes off Jesus and starts to look at his circumstances.  As the fear of the wind and waves mount up against Peter, he begins to sink. 

This is the typical life experience of every human being.  The wind and waves of objection and rejection, and the subsequent feeling of dejection cause us to lose hope – we take our eyes off the Lord.  We begin to sink in the storm of our circumstances.  We forget that the power of Jesus is so great that even the wind and sea obey him (Matt. 8:27).  We forget that during these circumstances Jesus tells us to “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matt. 14:27).

We can’t get away from the storms of objection, rejection, and dejection in our lives. However, let me encourage you with this – instead of being fearful of the wind and waves of our circumstances – keep your eyes on Jesus. In John 16:33, Jesus says "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Don't let the storms of life overcome you. Instead, overcome the storms. Have faith. Walk on the water.

Coach CJ

Executive Director – C.H.S.M.

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

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The Uncertain Sound

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:8, "For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?"  What a great question - and one that deserves our study of God's word.

The verse indicates the importance of understanding what a trumpet call sounds like and what it means when we hear it - just like our military did for so many years.  Did you know that a game does not stop because a horn goes off in the middle of play?  That's an uncertain sound.  Only a whistle stops the game - that's a rule.  Satan is always looking to distract us with uncertain sounds and the only way we can know that a sound is uncertain is to know what the correct sound actually sounds like!

Coach’s – Here is something that you can do with your team.  When you have them run a set of sprints, tell them they are to go only upon the right sound.  For instance, try a command like "whistle-whistle-go".  You then can check their responses by doing a couple of things.  Blow the whistle 3 times in a row.  Did they go?  They shouldn't have gone because that was not the right sound.  Blow the whistle once and then say go-go.  Did they move?  I hope not because that wasn't the command.  The command was a whistle-whistle-go!  You get the idea.

It’s important for our young men and young ladies to learn to listen for the right things.  They should play ball until a whistle sounds - not the horn.  They should only move when you tell them to move.  They should do as mom and dad tell them to do.  And they should do exactly what God has commanded them to do - no more and no less - knowing precisely what His voice sounds like!

Coach P

CHSM Basketball

Charlie Pomeroy is an assistant basketball coach and CHSM leadership team member.  He has over 20 years of coaching experience and is an active member at his church in Spring, TX.

www.chsmhouston.com

Follow CHSM on Twitter (@chsmhouston)

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Proper Preparation for the Game

One of the greatest detriments to talented teams is proper game preparation.  Too many times players show up to games unprepared and go through warm-ups like it’s another day at the park.  Improper focus leads to talented teams being down early in games and if it’s not corrected in-game, then it leads to a BIG win for underdogs.  So how does a player prepare for a game and when should the preparation start?

Unlike what a lot of players think, game preparation does not start the day of the game.  Game preparation starts at practice and the night before the game. 

(1)      Practice – It’s important for players to have a good practice before their game as it helps them go into their game with confidence.  Players need to understand that a good hard practice will go a long way towards helping them play at another level come game time.  They must also remember that you cannot play better consistently than how you consistently practice.

(2)      The night before – Game preparation also starts with the night before the game.  Players should strive to get into bed early and get 7-8 hours of good sleep.  Too many times players stay up late the night before the game.  Not only does this take away from the rest you need, but it also leaves you open to getting into more trouble.  Just ask the college players who get sent home from bowl games or tournaments for violating curfew.  As my dad always says, “If you don’t want to fall into the Grand Canyon, then don’t get close to the edge!”  Players, get to bed early.  You’ll be healthier, you won’t get into trouble, and you’ll be prepared.

(3)      The day of – In order to be properly prepared for your game, you need to have a good day of the game.  Your body, whether you think it or now, screams for a routine.  So create one.

·         Eat well.  It's important that you try to eat good protein and stay hydrated.  Stay away from foods that can sap you of your energy or are unhealthy.  Your body needs optimum foods at optimum times in order to perform at an optimal level during the game.
·         Schedule your day of the game and stick to it.  Your mind loves it when you have a schedule and stick to it.  It gives you a sense of accomplishment and releases stress and pressure. 

·         Set an alarm for the morning of your game and get up when it goes off.  Eat a healthy breakfast. 

·         Get your school done on time. 

·         Do a light, but focused shoot –around (either individually or as a team). 

·         Pack your game bag in the morning and check it at lunch time (don’t be one of those players who shows up with 1 shoe, or forgot your jersey). 

·         Take time thru the day to think about your role on the team and how you can best do your job

·         Leave for the game on-time and get to the game early. 

·         Dress up for the game.  My first high school coach once said “You play like you dress”.  If you show up like a slob, you’ll play like a slob.  Show up decent, and you’ll play decent.

·         Take time to visualize game situations and how you will react to those situations

·         Review new plays your coach has taught you recently – again, know your job

·         Stretch in the morning, at lunch, and before the game.

·         Warm-up before the game with a purpose.  Don’t walk onto the floor and start jacking up shots.  Have a purpose when you warm-up and take your warm-up seriously.

It should also be noted that music does not help you play better.  I know, I probably just alienated half the players reading this.  But listen, no matter what you think, or how it makes you feel, music will not make you a better player.  It’s like a drug, it may help you get “high”, but at the end of the day it only impairs you and you will crash during the game when you have no music.  Don’t rely on music to prepare you for a game.  Do the right things every day in order to prepare for your game and you will be amazed at how fresh and ready you will feel at game time. 

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” – unknown

Coach CJ

Christian Homeschool Sports Ministries (CHSM)

Follow Coach CJ on Twitter (@CJPomeroy1)

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Keys to Winning the Big Game - Part 2

In part 1 we talked about the first 2 keys to winning the big game – Ball Control and making your free-throws & lay-ups.  The last 2 fundamental keys to winning the big game are:

1.  Ball Control (time of possession)

2.  Free-Throws & Lay-Ups

3.  Minimizing Turnovers

4.  Rebounding

(3)  Minimizing Turnovers – You can’t win the big game by giving up the ball.  In order to win the big game, you must not only win the turnover battle, but you must set a goal of how many turnovers your team will not exceed and work to achieve that goal.  My high-school coach set a goal of 10 TO’s or less every game.  While that may seem extreme, the fact is, if your team can average less than 10 TO’s a game, then you will have a chance to win every game you play – especially the big game.  Also, while everyone knows about turnovers such as traveling violations, dribbling violations, and bad passes/balls that are dropped, not everyone knows that bad shots should be considered turnovers as well.  Bad shots are a not a stat that can be easily tracked as turnovers, but coaches and players should understand that forced shots lead to defensive rebounds, which can lead to opponents points.  Rushing the shot is just as good as giving the other team the ball, so players need to be disciplined in executing the offense and being patient – working hard for the GREAT shot.

(4)  Rebounding – Teams that are not very skilled on the offensive side of the ball can still beat the best teams if they win the rebounding battle.  On the defensive side, it’s important that your team only gives up 1 shot every possession and take away the second & third chance opportunities from your opponent.  You can take 10-20 points a game away from your opponents score just by winning the defensive glass.  You can also add 10-20 points a game to your score by winning the offensive glass.  Winning the offensive glass will give you second chance opportunities, and if you capitalize on those opportunities, you can swing the scoreboard by 20-40 points!  Rebounding is the very reason why non-powerhouse college teams have a chance every year to win the NCAA tournament.  Winning the glass and capitalizing on your possessions will help you win the big game!

Coach CJ

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